Tractor ABS system applies the brakes to the trailers while cornering causing the vehicle to become uncontrollable. This usually occurs while entering or exiting a highway at speeds above 30 MPH. The ABS system locks up the brakes until the tractor and trailers come to a complete stop. These trucks and trailers weigh approximately 155,000 lbs., and losing control is a safety hazard for anyone on the road. These trucks are 2021 models with bendix ABS systems. This issue has been brought to the attention of kenworth (the vehicle manufacture) and bendix (the ABS system manufacture). Little has been done to rectify this safety issue. This has been happening sense the tractors were put into service approximately 8 months ago. There is no warning before the ABS system locks up the trailer brakes, and there is nothing the driver can do to control the truck while the brakes are locked up.
The worst 2021 Kenworth T880 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes1
Recalls 8
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Peterbilt and Kenworth vehicles, equipped with Bendix EC80 Advanced Electronic Control Units (ECU). Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop functioning.
- Risk
- Safety systems that depend on the ECU (Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation System) may not function properly or at all, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Kenworth's customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 and Peterbilt's customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24KWL and 24PBL.
Recall number 24V915000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Peterbilt 365, 367, 389, 535, 536, 537, 548, 567, 579, and 2021-2025 Kenworth T180, T280, T380, T480, T680, T880 and W990 trucks. The right-hand gear shifter stalk connectors may have been improperly crimped, resulting in a loss of communication.
- Risk
- A loss of communication between the gear shifter and the transmission may result in the vehicle becoming disabled after coming to a stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the gear shifter assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 15, 2025, then phased after that. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 or Peterbilt customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24PBE and 24KWE.
Recall number 24V190000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: supply: reservoir/tank
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2009-2021 Kenworth C500, 2012-2021 Kenworth T440, 2009-2015 Kenworth T660, 2015-2024 Kenworth T680, 2009-2024 Kenworth T800, 2009-2020 Kenworth T370, 2014-2023 Kenworth T880, 2011-2016 Kenworth T470, 2023 Kenworth T480, and 2009-2019 Kenworth W900 vehicles. The air tanks have an insufficient volume of air for the brake system. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
- Risk
- Insufficient air volume can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install the correct volume air tanks, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 12, 2024. Additional owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2025. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888. PACCAR's number for this recall is 24KWD.
Recall number 24V145000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Peterbilt 567, 579, 2021-2022 Peterbilt 536, 2017-2021 Kenworth T880, 2016-2022 Kenworth T680, 2018-2020 Kenworth T440, 2020 Kenworth T270, and 2021 Kenworth T280 vehicles. The methane detection system will not function if the system loses power.
- Risk
- The operator may be unaware of a system malfunction or the presence of excessive methane levels, increasing the risk of injury or fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will re-wire the warning alarm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 1, 2022. Owners may contact Peterbilt customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220, and Kenworth customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWH and 21PBN.
Recall number 21V00N000 · Recall details
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Kenworth T880, W990, Peterbilt 567, 579, 389, and 2022 Peterbilt 536, 537 wrecker and auto hauler vehicles. The work brake (winch brake) may unintentionally disengage the service brakes during winching operations, causing the vehicle to roll.
- Risk
- Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 3, 2022. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 (Kenworth); or 1‑940‑591‑4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWG and 21PBM.
Recall number 21V906000 · Recall details
Fuel system, diesel: fuel injection system: fuel rail
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Peterbilt 337, 348, 365, 367, 520, 567, Kenworth T270, T370, T440, T470, T800 and T880 vehicles. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore holes, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the rail threads and fuel lines, and replace the rail as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 (Kenworth) or 1‑940‑591‑4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWC and 21PBD.
Recall number 21V391000 · Recall details
Engine
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Kenworth T680, T880, W990, T800, W900 and Peterbilt 579, 567, 389, 367 vehicles equipped with a Cummins X15 engine. The capscrews that attach the flywheel to the crankshaft may have been improperly torqued, allowing the flywheel to detach.
- Risk
- A detached flywheel can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, driveline pieces may be ejected from the engine compartment, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will properly torque the capscrews and the engine will also be inspected for damage and, if necessary, repaired, free of charge. The recall began on March 29, 2021. Owners may contact PACCAR customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 (Kenworth) or 1‑940‑591‑4220 (Peterbilt). PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 21KWA and 21PBB.
Recall number 21V080000 · Recall details
Power train: axle assembly
- What is wrong
- PACCAR Incorporated (PACCAR) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Peterbilt 348, 365, 367, 389, 520, 567 and Kenworth T800, T880, W900, W990 vehicles equipped with Watson and Chalin steerable lift axle suspension systems (model SL2065). The axles may have lower rear pivot bolts that are not long enough to sufficiently engage the locking feature of the corresponding nuts.
- Risk
- The short screws can cause the hardware to separate from the suspension system and become road hazards, increasing the risk of a crash and/or injury.
- Remedy
- PACCAR will notify owners, and dealers will inspect suspect chassis and replace the pivot bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2020. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1‑425‑828‑5888 and Peterbilt customer service at 1‑940‑591‑4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall is 20PBE and 20KWC.
Recall number 20V506000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Kenworth T880 68
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- KW & PB 14 fuel injector part numbers (seven for MX-11 and seven for MX-13 engines) have been added to...
- 24PBE_24KWE RH Shift Stalk Update Warranty section has been updated with revised verbiage for picture...
- The right-hand shift stalk may have an improper wire harness terminal crimp within the wire harness connector
- The new 2.1m day cab lift tools, a Level 3 mandatory tool, are now available to order.
- Certain chassis equipped with an engine model year 2019
- This optional software update is expected to be available after 10/30/2026 for chassis equipped with EMY...
- Certain Kenworth EMY 2022 T680, T880 and W990 chassis may not contain an EAS operator’s manual in the...
- Kenworth: Dealers should check the chassis list and SIR weekly for VIN changes
- An exhaust manifold slip joint seal kit is now available for EPA 2017-2024 PACCAR MX-13 engines.
- The procedure has been updated to include additional steps for verifying the software level on the vehicle...
What 2021 Kenworth T880 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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Questions about the 2021 Kenworth T880
Is the 2021 Kenworth T880 reliable?
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2021 Kenworth T880, close to a typical T880 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Kenworth T880?
Brakes, with 1 complaint.
How many recalls does the 2021 Kenworth T880 have?
8 recalls, covering electrical system, power train and service brakes, air.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Kenworth T880 brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 24V145000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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